Cows in CATS

No, I’m not switching over to other folks’ fotos, but I just read a story that I can’t pass up on. I can’t wait until I find time to gallivant up to Eastport, Maine, for the next shipment of cows in CATS. Eastport has suddenly called me, really loud. Like MOO! Pregnant Moo at that. Let me explain.

Marcel took this foto of Artisgracht in IJmuiden, and put it on Shipspotting.

During the second half of July 2010 Artisgracht transported 472 pregnant cows from Eastport, Maine, to Turkey. All arrived safely thanks to “Comfort Animal Transport Suites,” aka CATS. Pregnant Maine cattle have the additional distinction of being “bluetongue-free.” Further, thanks to a company called Sexing Technologies, 80% of the cows are guaranteed to be carrying females. Read the story here. Artisgracht is a particularly apt name for this vessel, since Artis is the common name of a zoo in Amsterdam, near a gracht (“canal”).

Excuse the brevity of the post, but I must get up to Eastport to see this. I rest my case. It also reminds me of some friends who worked for Livestock Air . . . can’t make that up.

CATS . . . I’ve not located a description or foto of a CATS, but we can play with this a bit . . . a lot . .. til the …. cows come home, in fact.

Imagine a shipping line offering to transport cars in DOGS (Dry Overseas Garaging Solutions). Or local produce, brews, christmas trees, and milk products (SSS) coming down the Hudson on RABBITS ( Riverine Area Barged Box Initiatives for Transportation Sustainability). Finally, oil on river TRUCKS (Transportation Remedation to Undo Congestion Kinks).

You’re going to love Eastport. I’ve been dreaming of moving up there since my freshman year of college. I published a bunch of work based on research I did up there during the summer back when I was working as a biologist.

If you can, talk to Bob Peacock, the senior pilot up there. The best bar in North America, the Sardina Loca, changed hands last year, unfortunately, but the replacement is rumored to be pretty decent.
December is a cold time of year to be up there, but pretty. You should absolutely try to get in touch with Don Dunbar of Easternmaineimages.com… he’s a local photographer with a fantastic eye.
Have a wicked good time!

I’m pretty sure I’ll be heading up there at the end of January for a few cold days, then again in June, again in August, and hopefully in October, too. If they had any Brazilians up there for my wife to talk to, I’d be living up there now. Favorite town on earth.